Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND RELATED STUDIES

This chapter presents the literature, studies conducted, and the readings
significantly related to this present study. Hence, they serve and provide essential
background to this study.
The scientific name for coconut is Cocos nucifera. Early Spanish explorers called
it coco, which means monkey face because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy
nut resembles the head and face of a monkey. Nucifera means nut-bearing. The coconut
provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished
populations around the world for generations. On many islands, coconut is a staple in the
diet and provides the majority of the food eaten. Nearly one third of the worlds
population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and their economy. Among
these cultures, the coconut has a long and respected history.
Coconut is said to be the tree of life. You can get any product from its roots up to
its leaves. In the context of the Philippines, coconut is very important. Almost 25
percent of cultivated land is planted with it. Most Filipinos, approximately 33 percent are
depending on it mainly because it supports their family and their livelihood in general.
Copra is the most produced product from coconuts by the Filipinos though there are
some products they also produce like copra cake, coconut oil, desiccated coconut,
coconut vinegar, coconut husks, handicrafts, and many more. These products generate
the largest agri-food export but over the years, the industry does not perform well due to
some reasons.

Why is the industry that important? First, coconut farms are reportedly present in
68 out of 79 provinces. Second, coconut farms cover some 3.3 million hectares (ha),
nearly 30% of farmlands. Third, coconut regions host among the largest number of rural
poor. Fourth, coconut products contribute nearly half of agriculture exports. Fifth,
coconut lands have among the largest potential for diversification among the major crops.
Last but not the least, it has a huge, untapped resource pool for industry development.
Table 2.1 Availability of Coconut

Coconut shell is the strongest part covered in coconut fruit. Coconut shell is
located in between the coconut flesh and coconut husk. This shell is naturally created to
protect the inner part of coconut. The shell is used to produce various handicraft and
other applications. Most of handmade decorative are created by using coconut shell due
to their strength. Coconut shells are also used to made charcoal which is used as fuel and
coconut charcoals are far better than other charcoals.
Coconut shell has high strength and modulus properties. It has added advantage
of high lignin content. High lignin content makes the composites more weather resistant.

It has low cellulose content due to which it absorb less moisture as compared to other
agriculture waste. Coconut, being naturally available in nature and since its shells are
non-biodegradable, they can be used readily in concrete which may fulfil almost all the
qualities of the original form of concrete. The coconut shell is still underutilized in some
places. The chemical composition of the coconut shell is similar to wood. It contains
33.61% cellulose, 36.51% lignin, 29.27% and ash at 0.61%.
Lightweight concrete is typically made by incorporating natural or synthetic
lightweight aggregates or by entraining air into a concrete mixture. Coconut shell exhibits
more resistance against crushing, impact and abrasion, compared to crushed granite
aggregate. Coconut shell can be grouped under lightweight aggregate. There is no need to
treat the coconut shell before use as an aggregate except for water absorption. Coconut
shell is compatible with the cement.
Olanipekun (2006) carried out the comparative cost analysis and strength
characteristics of concrete produced using crushed, granular coconut and palm kernel
shell as substitutes for conventional coarse aggregate. The main objective is to encourage
the use of waste products as construction materials in low-cost housing. Crushed granular
coconut and palm kernel was used as substitute for conventional coarse aggregate in the
following ratios: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% for preparing of mix ratios 1:1:2 and
1:2:4. Total 320 cubes were casted, tested and their physical and mechanical properties
were determined. The result showed that the compressive strength of the concrete
decrease as the percentage of the coconut shell increases in the two mix ratios, Coconut
shell exhibited a higher compressive strength than palm kernel shell in the test. Moreover,

there is a cost reduction of 30% and 42% for concrete produced from coconut shell and
palm kernel shell respectively.
Ahlawat and Kalurkar (2014) explored the possibility of producing M20 grade of
concrete by replacing conventional aggregate of granite by coconut shell. Forty five
cubes were casted. Percentage of replacement of conventional coarse aggregate by
coconut shell were 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%. Compressive strength were 19.71, 19.53,
19.08, 18.91 N/mm2 respectively at 28 days. Workability and compressive strength had
been evaluated at 7, 14 and 28 days. The compressive strength of concrete reduced as the
percentage replacement increased. By these results it can be concluded that coconut shell
concrete can be used in reinforced concrete construction. Author concluded that its
utilization is cost effective and eco-friendly.